All to play for in the final
The Mzansi Super League reaches its climax on Monday when the Paarl Rocks welcome the Tshwane Spartans to Eurolux Boland Park for the final, with home coach Adrian Birrell desperate to end a long-standing stronghold on his side held by the visitors.
The Cape side have never beaten their rivals from Centurion in the competition — losing all four of their meetings to date.
It makes for an intriguing final then between MSL 2.0’s best team, who won six out of their 10 matches, and an opposing team that had won just thrice — Tshwane had five of their matches rained out, but still managed to squeeze into the business end of action.
Two of those three wins were against the team that ended top of the table, and Mark Boucher’s side then upset the odds on Friday when they won the Qualifier against one of the other form sides this season, the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, in Port Elizabeth to earn their trip to the final.
Birrell is aware of what the Rocks are up against, but hopes their luck is about to turn.
“The first game last year we lost very closely, so that could have gone either way.
“Most of the others they’ve outplayed us.
“But I think playing here in Paarl gives us an added advantage.
“You just have to take it like any other game before and try to win the game on the day.”
The highest ranked man in both teams is Tabraiz Shamsi, the third best wicket-taker with 14 dismissals.
He trails Imran Tahir (17) and Dale Steyn (15).
Among the batsmen on both sides, AB de Villiers is fourth best with 274 runs, behind Ben Dunk (415), Janneman Malan (358) and Reeza Hendricks (275). It has been more about collective team efforts from the finalists and Birrell is hoping for much of the same from his squad, who are expected to welcome back key allrounder Dwaine Pretorius from injury.
“There’s a great buzz in the squad, there’s a lot of excitement, guys are hungry and everyone is looking forward to Monday.
It’s going to be a fantastic occasion for Paarl and the Boland region.”
Spartans captain Heinrich Klaasen said playing in the finals was an honour.
“It will be a sell-out crowd and that’s what you want to see.
“The team that stays the calmest and plays the big moments well will come out on top.”
The MSL 2.0 will begin at 5.30pm and be broadcast live on SABC. DDC